Stress, anxiety and intake of vitamin C will aggravate Vitiligo (white patch)

Q) I have one white patch (Vitiligo) on my thigh. What precautions should I take to arrest its spread to other parts of my body?

Is there any remedy in allopathy?

What are the blood tests to be carried out?

A) Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder. Vitiligo when treated well in time is curable. Stress will aggravate the condition. You must avoid foods which contain vitamin C. Vitamin C inhibits enzyme tyrosinase, an enzyme known to help in the synthesis of melanin pigment. Also try to allay all stress and anxiety as this would aggravate the disease. No blood tests need to be carried out for the disease. However, if certain allopathic medicines are given, you will need to monitor the liver enzymes in blood by doing blood tests recommended by your dermatologist. Narrow band UVB & excimer laser are newer modalities of treatment and are promising. Since you have a single patch, if it isn’t increasing, it may be worthwhile to consider going for a non-melanocyte cell culture surgery.

Q) I have very dry and sensitive skin. Every time, I go for waxing I get these rashes. Do you think an epilator will be

a) less painful and

b) better for my skin?

A) You must take an antihistaminic tablet such as levocetrizine before waxing to avoid the rash. Immediately after waxing, use cold calamine lotion which would soothe your skin. Also apply an antibacterial cream. Epilator would be a better less painful option. However, the best method of hair removal in such cases is the long pulse Nd Yag or Diode laser.You may require 6-8 sittings at an interval of 6 weeks.

Q) I have dry scaly patches on my scalp, eyebrows and eyelids. They are very itchy. Anti-dandruff shampoos havent helped. What should I do?
A) You are suffering from seborrhoeic dermatitis. It usually aggravates in winter and if you are under stress. Use a 2% ketoconazole-based shampoo twice a week. You may apply a ketoconazole-based cream once a day. Do not stay in the AC for long. Do not take hot showers. You may take an anti-allergic tablet if the itching is too severe.

Q) My lips are getting chapped inspite of using Vaseline. Sometimes, there are painful cuts too. Please help.

A) Use a lip balm or even butter or ghee for your lips. Avoid licking your lips as this will increase dryness. Avoid using matte lipsticks, use a lip gloss instead. Do not chew gum, cardamoms, cloves or silver-coated mouth freshners. Drink enough water to keep yourself well-hydrated. Avoid the ACand room heaters for long. You should take a supplement of 500mg evening primrose oil and a Vit B complex everyday.

Q) My heels become dry and crack during winters. I have tried many creams, but they haven’t helped much.
A) If you are developing cracks, you need to take care of your feet daily instead of once-in-a-while pedicures. At bedtime, soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes. You may add a few drops of an oil-free cleansing lotion or even salt to the water. Scrub with a pumice stone or loofah. Apply a thick moisturising cream which has super fatty acids, squalene and urea. This will hydrate skin well and reduce dead skin too. If possible, wear cotton socks all the time. Obsessive washing of feet will rip moisture from the skin. Make sure you moisturise every time you wash your feet.